Of the many interactions I had with my mother those many years ago,one stands out with clarity（明理）.I remember the1when mother sent me to the main road,about twenty yards away from our home,to2a passing group of seasonal work-seekers home for a3.She instructed me to take a container along and4dry cow waste for making a fire.I was then to5the meal for the group of work-seekers.
The6of making an open fire outside at midday,7in a large three-legged pot in that intense heat,was enough to8even an angel.I did not manage to9my feelings from my mother and,after10the group,she called me to the room where she usually sat to11her sewing and knitting.
Looking straight into my eyes,she said,"Tom,why did you get angry when I12you to prepare a meal for those13people?"Despite my attempt to deny her allegation（责怪）,and using the14of the fire and the sun as a(n)15for my behaviour,mother,giving me a16look,said “Lonao ga lo na nko”一“A foot has no nose”.It means: you cannot detect what17may lie ahead of you.
Had I18to provide this group of people a meal,it may have happened that,in my travels some time in the future,I19myself at the mercy of those very individuals.As if that was not enough to20me,mother continued, "Motho ke motho ka motho yo mongwe."The literal meaning:“A person is a person because of another person.”
